This could be in a positive or negative way. So someone ignores people telling them to murder or someone ignores someone telling them to stop being rude. Basically how can you describe someone who just follows their gut in everything they do.
16 Answers
obstinate
ob·sti·nate ˈäbstənət/ adjective stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so.
Taken from Oxford Dictionaries.
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2+1..."The obstinate Man does not hold Opinions, but they hold him," wrote Samuel Butler way back in the seventeenth century– MistiJun 18, 2015 at 18:16
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I knew I was missing the better option. I didn't realize obstinate applied to action, I thought it was just opinions. Then again thoughts become actions, so it makes sense! :)– mfoy_Jun 18, 2015 at 18:19
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8Is it really obstinacy to ignore people telling one to commit murder, as per the question?– JdeBPJun 18, 2015 at 18:54
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5I do not think this word is neutral enough. Obstinacy has negative connotations. One definition of the word is "(of an unwelcome phenomenon or situation) very difficult to change or overcome."– MattYJun 18, 2015 at 23:20
What about "maverick"? That's the word that came to my mind, although the following formal definitions don't exactly match your description.
Adjective: Showing independence in thoughts or actions.
Noun: One who does not abide by rules.
wiktionary.org
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2+1 That certainly captures well in one word (and with more neutrality) the two suggestions that I made up in the comments. Jun 18, 2015 at 22:54
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1This is what popped in my mind as well when I first read the question, though of course it carried with it some wonderful McCain/Palin imagery.– webbcodeJun 19, 2015 at 14:06
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The source citation(s) for your link/block quote(s) should appear in plain text, rather than as a hypertext link (to avoid the disabling effects of link-rot), but +1 for "maverick."– user98990Jun 20, 2015 at 19:24
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1Okay, but why haven't you told this to the other answers that do this? Jun 20, 2015 at 19:26
My choice(s) -
ONE WORD
uncompromising (adj)
- not making concessions
TWO WORDS
- stubbornly obstructive (unwilling to cooperate)
Someone who just sticks to their own opinions while ignoring those of others is:
self-opinionated (Oxford)
Having an arrogantly high regard for oneself or one’s own opinions:
a pompous, self-opinionated bully
Not a single word, but try:
be your own person/woman/man (Cambridge)
to be in control of your life and not allow other people to tell you what to do:
Nobody tells me how to live my life - I'm my own man.
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2
This sort of independent thinking (good or bad) is shown by someone who is strong-minded.
strong-minded: adjective (Collins)
having strength of mind; firm, resolute, and determined
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2In a similar vein, the first word that popped into my mind was headstrong. Jun 19, 2015 at 13:33
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1@JanusBahsJacquet "Headstrong" is better than most of the actual answers here. Jun 20, 2015 at 11:23
adjective
unreasonably obstinate; obstinately unmoving:
- E.g. a stubborn child.
fixed or set in purpose or opinion; resolute:
- E.g. a stubborn opponent of foreign aid.
obstinately maintained, as a course of action:
- E.g. a stubborn resistance.
difficult to manage or suppress:
- E.g. a stubborn horse; a stubborn pain.
adjective
without interest or concern; not caring; apathetic:
- E.g. his indifferent attitude toward the suffering of others.
having no bias, prejudice, or preference; impartial; disinterested.
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Cite the source of your link/block quote definitions in plain text somewhere in the body of your answer– user98990Jun 19, 2015 at 11:29
The most neutral term I can think of is nonconformist, which can be a noun or an adjective. As a noun, the relevant definition in Merriam-Webster's Eleventh Collegiate Dictionary (2003) is
a person who who does not conform to a generally accepted pattern of thought or action
Virtually all other answers, while certainly apt, connote negatively. Per the OP, please allow me to put a positive spin on this personal characteristic.
independently-minded adjective: self-reliant and seeking autonomy; see, Collins Dictionary
self-reliant adjective: Free from the influence, guidance, or control of others; see, the Free Dictionary
independent adjective: 2. Free from the influence, guidance, or control of another or others; self-reliant: an independent mind. see, the Free Dictionary
strong-minded adjective: 1. Having a determined will. 2. Having a vigorous, independent mind. see, the Free Dictionary
I'd call someone like that an individualist
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/individualist
a person who does things without being concerned about what other people will think
I could go with "insubordinate" on this one.
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3Welcome to ELU :-). This is a good suggestion, but your answer would be much more useful to the OP and future users of the website if you included a definition and/or examples of usage with adequate references. Thanks!– LuckyJun 18, 2015 at 23:45
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... and citation(s) for your source(s).– user98990Jun 19, 2015 at 11:28
Another option: bull-headed
: not willing to change an opinion, plan, etc. : very stubborn in a foolish or annoying way
Perhaps a more neutral answer is pertinacious.
Like obstinacy and stubbornness, it refers to unshakeable opinions. Unlike those other words, pertinacity can be used in either a positive or negative sense.
1: adhering resolutely to an opinion, purpose, or design
perversely persistent
2: stubbornly tenacious
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Welcome to ELU :-). This is a great word, but the answer would be even better if you included a reference to a dictionary from which you cited the definition. Thanks!– LuckyJun 18, 2015 at 23:40
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... and citation(s) for your source(s).– user98990Jun 19, 2015 at 11:22
oblivious: not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one.
Ex.: He is oblivious to criticism.
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1Cite the source of your block quote definition in plain text somewhere in the body of your answer.– user98990Jun 19, 2015 at 11:26
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One with a negative connotation:
dog·mat·ic (dôg-măt′ĭk, dŏg-) adj. 1. Relating to, characteristic of, or resulting from dogma. 2. a. Asserting or insisting upon ideas or principles, especially when unproven or unexamined, in an imperious or arrogant manner: "People in recovery groups can be dogmatic, asserting that the group's way is 'the way' or bashing other approaches" (Anne M. Fletcher). b. Characterized by such assertion, often with an unconsidered rejection of criticism: a dogmatic adherence to a single educational model.
Taken from here.
Selfish: having or showing concern only for yourself and not for the needs or feelings of other people Merriam-Webster
The selfish person ignores others and does what they want! This certainly covers the 'negative' scenario of OP's question, but also, the bit about "follow[ing] their gut in everything they do".
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